Battery payback calculator
A simple payback estimate — but grounded in your battery's real delivered energy, not the nameplate figure. You enter your own electricity rate and system cost; nothing is stored, and no region-specific rebates or tariffs are assumed.
Why payback off real energy is more honest
Most payback tools multiply the full nameplate kWh by your rate, which overstates savings — you never actually cycle the whole nameplate figure. This calculator first works out the real delivered energy (after depth of discharge, temperature and round-trip losses), then values that. The payback it shows is longer than the optimistic version, because it is closer to reality.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate battery payback?
Multiply the energy the battery actually delivers per day by how many times you cycle it and by your electricity rate to get daily savings, then divide the system cost by the yearly savings. Using real delivered energy rather than nameplate kWh gives a more honest, usually longer, payback.
Does this include rebates and tariffs?
No. Rebates, tax credits and feed-in tariffs vary by location and change frequently, so this tool deliberately excludes them and uses only your own entered rate and cost. For region-specific incentives, consult a local installer or comparison service.
Looking for a definition or a quick answer? See the solar & battery glossary for terms used on this page, or the FAQ for common sizing questions.
Sources & standards
- U.S. EIA — How Much Electricity Does an American Home Use? (FAQ) — Federal statistics used as a sanity check for typical daily/annual household energy figures.
- U.S. DOE — Shopping for Appliances and Electronics — Department of Energy guidance on weighing upfront cost against long-run operating cost, incl. ENERGY STAR/EnergyGuide labels.
Planning estimate only, not financial advice. Actual savings depend on usage, rates, incentives and degradation that vary by location and time.